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Geriatrics Stories and Local Doctors
Why the Body Ages
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Understanding Changes in Overeating As We Age
Key appetite control cells in the human brain degenerate over time, causing increased hunger and potentially weight-gain as we grow older, according to a Monash University scientist. Dr. Zane Andrews has found that appetite-suppressing cells are damaged by free radicals after eating and said the degeneration is more significant following meals rich in carbohydrates and sugars. Dr. Andrews claims, "The more carbs and sugars you eat, the more your appetite-control cells are damaged, and potentially you consume more." (Read more about Understanding Changes in Overeating As We Age)
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Women With Depression At Risk For Osteoporosis
A study from the National Institute of Mental Health has found that women who suffer from depression are more likely to enter menopause with an increased risk of bone fractures. Researchers report that 17% of women with depression had decreased bone mass in the femoral neck, compared to 2% of women who did not have depression. Additionally, low bone mass in the lumbar spine was found in 20% of depressed women, compared to 9% who were not depressed. The researchers theorized that women with depression have overactive immune systems that produce a chemical known as IL-6. This chemical is associated with bone loss as well as promoting inflammation. During adolescence, bone mass reaches its peak and begins to decline through the rest of life, thinning at a faster rate after a woman undergoes menopause. (Read more about Women With Depression At Risk For Osteoporosis)
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Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There
A recent report by health provider BUPA has found that people's worries are damaging their health by causing sleepless nights, loss of sex drive, and erratic eating habits. The 2007 Worry Report demonstrates that almost one in five people constantly worry about numerous things, and more than half feel they worry more now than five years ago. Half of the people surveyed this year, which is 6% more than in 2006, claimed they were more worried about their health and their family's health than about other concerning issues such as climate change or terrorist attacks. The survey finds that almost three quarters of people worry, but around 19% admit to worrying all the time or about a number of things. (Read more about Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There)
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What is Peripheral Arterial Disease?
Dr. Sattesh Babu of Vascular Associates of Westchester discusses Peripheral Arterial Disease, who is at risk, why it is important to be screened and current treatments. (Read more about What is Peripheral Arterial Disease?)
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What is Carotid Stenosis?
Dr. Sateesh Babu of Vascular Associates of Westchester discusses "What is Carotid Stenosis?", the treatments, who should be screened and future developments, such as new stenting techniques. (Read more about What is Carotid Stenosis?)
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Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems
A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, impacts physiology, and the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. Lead author, Daniel Brotman, claims "Acute physical stressors such as sugery, trauma, and intense physical exertion are well known triggers of cardiovascular events. Emotional stressors are increasingly recognized as precipitants of such events." (Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems)
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Exercise Can Reverse Aspects of Aging
A recent study in the PLoS scientific journal showed that engaging in weight training regularly can offset skeletal muscle atrophy and functional impairment associated with aging. Seniors who participated in six months of gentle exercises had almost as much energy and strength as people less than half their age. (Read more about Exercise Can Reverse Aspects of Aging)
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Screenings for the Elderly
We’re not getting any younger. And there are plenty of baby boomers who are suddenly looking at their senior years.
But with all the push to get screened for cancer, when is it ok to stop getting tested, in particular, for colon cancer?
This is something that is mostly missing from preventive care recommendations.
We know when to start screening for breast cancer, and colon cancer, but when does one stop?
The answer: it depends.
“I had a mammogram in august for the second time in twenty years.” So maybe Henrietta Bethune isn’t exactly a poster child for aggressively pursuing good preventative care. But at least she’s at the doctor today. (Read more about Screenings for the Elderly)
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Women & Heart Centers
“My grandmother died at 67 of heart disease and she was a diabetic, my mother died at 59 from heart disease, my sister who was two years older than me died at 51 from heart disease, my oldest sister who is five years older than me had her first heart attack in 91,” says Cheryl Walters.
Having tragically lost so many loved ones to heart disease, Cheryl Walters refuses to be its next victim. She had a pulling sensation in her chest and was completely fatigued…doctors dismissed her complaints. But, instinctively Cheryl knew something was wrong. She went for a comprehensive heart health check-up at the Women’s Heart Center at St. Joseph’s. (Read more about Women & Heart Centers)
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HISPANICS AND OSTEOPOROSIS
Hispanics are the nation’s largest minority group, and they are also the fastest growing group, accounting for about half of the growth in the U.S. population since 2000. Thus Hispanic healthcare is an increasing concern that a lot of doctors are focusing their attention onto.
The growth of the Hispanic population has not been accompanied by an improvement in Hispanic healthcare. Of particular concern is the quality of healthcare Hispanic women receive. There has been a steady increase in hip fractures in Hispanic women over the past twenty years. But it’s not only because there are more Hispanic women to suffer a fracture; it’s also because of inadequate health care for Hispanic women before and after menopause.
Celia Greenberg has a Latino heritage. She says her diet rarely contained any milk or other dairy products. “The only milk I drank was the little that was in my coffee. We ate very small quantities of cheeses and no yogurt at all.” (Read more about HISPANICS AND OSTEOPOROSIS)
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